Is Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants a better NFL head coach than Rex Ryan of the New York Jets? According to power rankings by ESPN of the top 10 coaches in the league he is. Barely. In a poll of eight ESPN analysts Coughlin finished sixth with 39 points and Ryan placed seventh with 33.
The winner? You will never guess. Bill Belichick of New England was the unanimous choice, with first-place votes from all eight panelists. Coughlin received two third-place votes from the panelists, while the best Ryan did was a pair of fourth-place votes. Both coaches were on the ballots of all eight panelists.
Ryan has led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game each of the past two seasons, though some would say his bombastic style hurts the Jets as much as it helps them. Coughlin has a Super Bowl championship under his belt, trumping the late-season collapses by the Giants the past two seasons. Coughlin also has 15 seasons and 15 playoff victories on his resume, compared to Ryan's two seasons at the helm of the Jets.
OK, New York sports fans. Which guy do you want for the coach of your team? Vote in the poll and let us know.